Childproofing the TV

Updated on March 12, 2013
L.A. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
6 answers

Mamas & Papas -

Are there any gizmos out there that can childproof the tv from my DS, but still leave it functional for my parents? Our little one is now 15 months old, and increasingly into everything. Buttons, at this age are a big deal, especially if something happens when you push on them. My parents take care of DS three+ days a week at their house. They have a modest 27-32" tube TV, with a power button that is very accessible and very appealing to DS.

I need a device that blocks DS from using the power button, but which allows my parents to access it. We've got it set up in such a way that they power the the tv on & off manually, but use the remotes for other functions. If they were to try to power the tv on and off from the remote, they sometimes disable the direct tv, or the dvd player.

Disciplining him and removing him from the situation is definately part of the strategy, but I don' twant to see the TV break with his persistent button pushing between now and when he understands that it must remain off limits.

Thanks a bunch,
Fanged Bunny

Thanks,
Fanged Bunny

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More Answers

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Babies r Us sells plastic shields. I have one on my TV. I can get my
fingers in but the kids have never tried to touch the buttons. I always have
to turn the power button on and manually adjust volume when DVDs are on.
Think it is $8.99 and works like a charm.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.Q.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 18 mo old found the buttons on our tv too and I put some painter's tape (no particular reason why i chose this kind, my hubby is a painter and that's what we had around) and at first she was pealing it off, so then i made it kinda wrap around the side of the tv and wahh lahh!! if u put hard pressure on the on/off button you can still turn it on and you can still control the volume b/c the tape is not so thick.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Seattle on

I have a new product that does a GREAT job of solving this problem. It's called the TotSwitch and it's for both parent convenience and child safety. Please support it on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/Zdhq8J

Thanks, K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

Go to Home Depot and get a piece of Plexi Glass and somehow, rig it to the TV. My friend's hubby did that with his flat screen when the kids were young!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

They do sell plexiglass guards at Babies R Us. That might work to block the on button, but may have to be moved to allow the grandparents access.

Since you mentioned that it is an old "tube TV", is the TV secured so that it can't fall of the table it sits on? This is a big hazard with toddlers. Pulling on that TV could cause it to fall off the table and cause some serious harm to your little one. Don't want to scare you or cause alarm, but I know a family that lost a daughter to a TV fall and just read the news about a child in the hospital recovering from a brain injury due to a TV fall.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Dallas on

You can get guards at Babies R Us. Basically it's an L shaped piece of plastic that slides under the tv and blocks the button. You can still use a remote control. I don't know if that would work for your parents though, unless are able to slide it out of the way when they need the button .

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